Skip to main content
Pickspry
Buying guideHiking Gear section

Best hiking poles for trail support: top picks on Amazon

Hiking pole material, grip type, locking mechanism, tip style and whether poles collapse to a fixed length or adjust for different terrain affect which poles suit different hikers and trail conditions.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles at $80 per pair is the best hiking pole set for most hikers: the cork grip absorbs vibration from rough trail surfaces, the FlickLock adjustment locks securely at any length and the carbide tips grip rock, dirt and compacted trail surfaces across varied terrain.

Product buttons open Amazon search results. As an Amazon Associate, Pickspry earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Quick picks

How we chose

Hiking poles are evaluated by material, grip type, locking mechanism, tip material, basket options, folded/collapsed length, weight per pair and price. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best hiking poles for most hikers
Black Diamond Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles

Brand: Black Diamond

Best for

Day hikers and backpackers who want adjustable-length aluminum poles with cork grips that reduce hand sweat on long hiking days, where Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork uses molded cork grip material that absorbs moisture and conforms to hand shape over time, reducing blisters and hot spots on the palm.

Skip if

Packability for airplane travel or technical scrambling is required. Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork collapses to 26 inches, not short enough for most airline carry-on bags. For hikers who fly to trailheads, Leki Micro Vario Carbon folds to 15 inches and fits in a carry-on pack.

Check price on Amazon

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork poles use a FlickLock Pro mechanism that adjusts and locks the telescoping sections with a lever flip rather than a twist-lock. FlickLock holds position without requiring periodic re-tightening under load, which is a common issue with twist-lock systems.

The cork grip has an ergonomic angle designed to keep the wrist in a neutral position on uphill grades without requiring the hand to be raised above the pole strap. The extended foam grip below the cork section allows choking down on the pole during steep uphill switchbacks.

At $80 for a pair, Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork is a strong mid-range value for a reliable adjustable aluminum pole.

Specifications

Specifications for Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
Material7075 aluminum
GripCork with foam extension
Locking mechanismFlickLock Pro
Length range105 to 130 cm
Price$80 pair

Specs from Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork trekking poles, hiking poles Amazon search

02
Best premium carbon fiber hiking poles
Leki Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles

Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles

Brand: Leki

Best for

Frequent travelers who fly to trailheads and need poles that collapse to carry-on pack size, where Leki Micro Vario Carbon folds to 15 inches using a fold-and-click mechanism that stores in the side pocket of a 22-liter day pack without checking the poles as luggage.

Skip if

Durability and price are the primary concerns. Leki Micro Vario Carbon at $200 uses premium carbon fiber construction designed for serious hikers who prioritize weight reduction. For occasional hikers who do not need the lightest or most packable poles available, Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork provides reliable performance at less than half the price.

Check price on Amazon

Leki Micro Vario Carbon uses a three-section fold that collapses the poles to 15 inches using the SpeedLock 2 lever mechanism. Carbon fiber reduces pole weight without reducing stiffness, which improves energy return on push-off compared to heavier aluminum poles.

The AERGON foam grip design uses a molded foam that covers a larger palm surface area than cork grips for a wider hand contact area during high-output trail sections. The integrated anti-shock system in the tip absorbs trail vibration that causes wrist fatigue.

At $200 a pair, Leki Micro Vario Carbon is the premium option in this guide, appropriate for hikers for whom pack size, pole weight and material quality justify the investment.

Specifications

Specifications for Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles
MaterialCarbon fiber
Folded length15 inches
GripAergon foam
LockingSpeedLock 2
Price$200 pair

Specs from Leki Micro Vario Carbon trekking poles, folding travel hiking poles Amazon search

03
Best mid-range hiking poles
REI Co-op REI Co-op Trekker Pole Pair

REI Co-op Trekker Pole Pair

Brand: REI Co-op

Best for

Casual hikers who want affordable adjustable poles for occasional day hiking and do not need the features of premium poles, where REI Trekker poles provide aluminum construction with adjustable length for different terrain and hiker heights at a mid-range price without the premium grip material and locking system of Black Diamond options.

Skip if

Frequent backpacking trips or rigorous use are planned. REI Trekker uses a basic twist-lock mechanism that requires occasional checking for tightening under repeated stress. For hikers who use poles on every trip and carry heavy packs, FlickLock or SpeedLock mechanisms on Black Diamond and Leki poles hold more reliably under repeated load.

Check price on Amazon

REI Trekker poles use a standard telescoping aluminum construction with twist-lock length adjustment. The foam grip is comfortable for 2 to 4-hour day hikes without the moisture absorption benefit of cork on longer days. The 7075 aluminum shaft provides adequate stiffness for day hiking loads.

Poles include both trekking baskets (for soft trail surfaces) and a set of mud and snow baskets that clip on for off-trail travel. Carbide tips provide rock grip on exposed trail sections.

At $55 a pair, REI Trekker poles are a practical entry point for hikers who want to try poles without the investment of a premium pair.

Specifications

Specifications for REI Co-op Trekker Pole Pair
Material7075 aluminum
GripFoam with webbing strap
LockingTwist-lock
Length range100 to 130 cm
Price$55 pair

Specs from REI Trekker poles, mid-range hiking poles pair Amazon search

04
Best budget hiking poles
BAFX Products BAFX Products Trekking Pole Pair

BAFX Products Trekking Pole Pair

Brand: BAFX Products

Best for

Beginning hikers and walkers who want to try poles before investing in a name-brand pair, where BAFX Products poles provide basic hiking pole function at the lowest cost in this guide for evaluating whether poles benefit your hiking style on flat to moderate trails.

Skip if

Rocky, technical terrain or long hiking days are the goal. BAFX poles are entry-level quality appropriate for casual use on maintained trails. For technical terrain, steep grades or backpacking trips where poles bear significant weight over long distances, investing in Black Diamond or REI poles provides more reliable performance.

Check price on Amazon

BAFX Products trekking poles use a standard telescoping aluminum construction with a basic twist-lock mechanism. The cork-composite grip is functional for 2 to 4-hour hikes. The pair includes both standard baskets and snow baskets.

The anti-shock mechanism in the lower shaft section uses a spring that absorbs some impact vibration on hard rock and pavement sections, reducing wrist and elbow fatigue compared to non-shock models on hard surfaces.

At $30 for a pair, BAFX poles are the most affordable entry point in this guide for hikers trying poles for the first time.

Specifications

Specifications for BAFX Products Trekking Pole Pair
MaterialAluminum alloy
GripCork and foam composite
Anti-shockYes (wrist strap absorb)
Length range24 to 54 inches
Price$30 pair

Specs from BAFX trekking poles budget pair, hiking poles beginner Amazon search

Hiking pole comparison

Model Material Grip Lock type Price (pair)
BAFX Products Aluminum Cork composite Twist $30
REI Trekker 7075 aluminum Foam Twist $55
Black Diamond Trail Ergo 7075 aluminum Cork FlickLock $80
Leki Micro Vario Carbon Carbon fiber Foam SpeedLock 2 $200

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Black Diamond Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
Leki Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles
Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles
REI Co-op REI Co-op Trekker Pole Pair
REI Co-op Trekker Pole Pair
BAFX Products BAFX Products Trekking Pole Pair
BAFX Products Trekking Pole Pair
Our verdictBest hiking poles for most hikersBest premium carbon fiber hiking polesBest mid-range hiking polesBest budget hiking poles
Material7075 aluminumCarbon fiber7075 aluminumAluminum alloy
GripCork with foam extensionAergon foamFoam with webbing strapCork and foam composite
Locking mechanismFlickLock ProNot listedNot listedNot listed
Length range105 to 130 cmNot listed100 to 130 cm24 to 54 inches
Price$80 pair$200 pair$55 pair$30 pair
Folded lengthNot listed15 inchesNot listedNot listed
LockingNot listedSpeedLock 2Twist-lockNot listed
Anti-shockNot listedNot listedNot listedYes (wrist strap absorb)
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

Do I need hiking poles?

Hiking poles benefit most hikers on descents, river crossings and uneven terrain. On descents, poles reduce impact force on the knees by transferring 15 to 25% of the downhill load to the arms, which is measurably beneficial for hikers with existing knee issues and reduces fatigue on multi-hour descents for all hikers. On river crossings, poles provide a third and fourth contact point that increases stability in moving water. On very flat, maintained trails, poles provide minimal benefit and can feel awkward for hikers accustomed to free arm swing. For hikers over 50, those with knee concerns, those carrying packs over 20 lb, or those on trails with significant elevation loss, poles consistently reduce fatigue and increase stability. For casual hikers on flat maintained trails, poles are a preference, not a necessity.

What length should hiking poles be?

Hiking pole length depends on terrain and hiker height. General starting point: set poles so that when holding the grip with the tip on flat ground, the elbow forms a 90-degree angle. For most adults, this is approximately 120 cm for 6-foot hikers and 100 to 110 cm for 5-foot 6-inch hikers. Adjust length for terrain: shorten poles by 5 to 10 cm for steep uphill grades (the arms make shorter forward push motions); lengthen by 5 to 10 cm for steep downhill grades (the arms reach further forward for balance and knee load reduction). Adjustable poles allow changing length during a hike as terrain changes. Poles set at one fixed length for an all-day hike that includes steep ascent and descent are a compromise that does not optimize for either.

What is the difference between trekking poles and hiking poles?

Trekking poles and hiking poles are the same type of equipment; the terms are used interchangeably in both retail and trail use. Some manufacturers use trekking poles to describe poles with carbon fiber shafts and ergonomic grips designed for technical mountain use, while hiking poles describes aluminum poles for general trail use. In practice, the distinction is inconsistently applied, and the actual specifications (material, weight, locking system, grip) matter more than the name on the packaging. Both terms refer to adjustable-length walking poles with wrist straps and replaceable carbide tips.

Keep reading